Austin Projects & Construction

[CTroyMathis]

Updated by KevinFromTexas.

With this thread quickly closing in on 2,000 posts, it'll be sent to the Thread Archive soon. So I wanted to get a good list compiled before that happens and post it in the new thread when we do start it. Steely Dan, I hope you don't mind, but I borrowed your format for Austin's list. I tried and tried to get something rolling that would look good for Austin's, but in the end I adopted your format since it works so well for displaying heights.

Austin's Skyscraper Boom:
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Notes:

• Buildings that are listed here as highrises are known to be atleast 115 feet tall from information obtained through construction documents at the construction site, developer's presentations and newspaper articles.

• The heights and information for these projects will likely change as these projects progress.

• TO = Topped out.

color code:

red = over 1,000 ft <-- ?
purple = 800 - 899 ft
magenta = 700 - 799 ft
dark blue = 600 - 699 ft
blue = 500 - 599 ft
green = 400 - 499 ft
brown = 300 - 399 ft
orange = 200 - 299 ft
Black = under 200 ft

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Highrise Totals:

114...Total number of highrises completed
17....Completed since 1999
6......Under Construction
15....Approved
12....Proposed
2......Site prep/Demolition

Notes: The number for the total number of highrises completed is for buildings that are atleast 115 feet tall. Most of these are known heights while others are estimated to be atleast that tall. The ones that have no height listed are estimated to be atleast 115 feet tall.

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Highrises:

     Name                                         Use            Struct. Ht.      Mainroof     Flrs.    Year

Recently completed:

1. Frost Bank Tower                             Office            515 ft        424 ft        33      2004    Website

2. Austin Hilton Convention Center Hotel        Hotel/Res.        377 ft        354 ft        31      2004    Website

3. 300 West Sixth Street                        Office            325 ft        ??? ..        23      2002    Website

4. Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center    Jail              204 ft        ??? ..        11      2000

5. Austin City Lofts                            Residential       176 ft        168 ft        14      2004    Website

6. The Plaza on Republic Square                 Residential       174 ft        136 ft        12      2001    Website

7. Hampton Inn & Suites Austin Downtown         Hotel             162 ft        ??? ..        16      2002

8. Milago Condominiums                          Residential       142 ft        130 ft        13      2006    Website

9. Marriott Downtown Austin Hotel               Hotel             141 ft        132 ft        12      2006

10. Whole Foods Market Headquarters              Office            130 ft        119 ft        7       2005

11. The Nokonah                                  Residential       126 ft        ??? ..        11      2002

12. Stonebridge Plaza I                          Office            120 ft        ??? ..        9       1999

13. Stonebridge Plaza II                         Office            120 ft        ??? ..        9       2001

14. Texas Assocation of Counties Building        Office            120 ft        ??? ..        8       2003

15. National Instruments Building                Office            ??? ..        ??? ..        8       2002

16. Texas Department of Health                   Office            ??? ..        ??? ..        7       2001

17. Breaker Point III                            Office            ??? ..        ??? ..        7       2002

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     Name                                         Use            Struct. Ht.      Mainroof     Flrs.    Year

Under construction:

1. 360 Condominiums                             Residential       563 ft        462 ft        44      2008    Website

2. Altavida                                     Residential       416 ft        ??? ..        37      2008    Website

3. The Monarch                                  Residential       314 ft        ??? ..        29      2008    Website

4. The Shore                                    Residential       257 ft        237 ..        22      2008    Website

5. 421 West 3rd Street                          Residential       224 ft        ??? ..        18      2008    Website

6. Dell Children's Medical Center               Hospital          120 ft        ??? ..        4       2007    Website

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     Name                                         Use            Struct. Ht.      Mainroof     Flrs.    Year

Site prep/Demolition:

1. Hotel Van Zandt                              Hotel/Res.        ??? ..        ??? ..        29      2008

2. Texas Automobile Dealer's Association        Office            ??? ..        ??? ..        9       ????    Website

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Notes:

* ~ The Capitol Tower is an existing office building built in 1986. The building is 242 feet tall with 20 floors and will be renovated. A new rooftop crescent shaped crown will be added that will add height to the building.

     Name                                         Use            Struct. Ht.      Mainroof     Flrs.    Year

Approved:

1. 501 Congress                                 Residential       705 ft        ??? ..        47      2009    Website

2. The Austonian                                Residential       700 ft        ??? ..        55      2009    Website

3. Block 21 Tower                               Hotel/Res.        433 ft        433 ..        35      2009    Website

4. Spring                                       Residential       400 ft        ??? ..        41      2008    Website

5. Capitol Tower*                               Office            242 ft        ??? ..        20      1986

6. 21 Rio                                       Residential       220 ft        ??? ..        18      ????

7. Gables Park Plaza                            Residential       195 ft        ??? ..        15      2008

8. Federal Courthouse                           Courthouse        135 ft        ??? ..        7       2009

9. St. David's Medical Center                   Office            120 ft        ??? ..        8       2008

10. La Vista on Lavaca                           Residential       119 ft        ??? ..        8       2007    Website

11. Four Seasons Residences                      Residential       ??? ..        ??? ..        38      2009

12. Red River Hotel Tower                        Hotel             ??? ..        ??? ..        30      2009

13. Red River Residential Tower                  Residential       ??? ..        ??? ..        30      2009

14. Red River Office Building                    Office            ??? ..        ??? ..        8       2009

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     Name                                         Use            Struct. Ht.      Mainroof     Flrs.    Year

Proposed:

1. 601-699 West 7th Street                      Residential       400 ft        ??? ..        32      2008

2. AquaTerra                                    Residential       199 ft        ??? ..        19      2008    Website

3. Legacy @ Town Lake                           Residential       ??? ..        ??? ..        27      ????    Website

4. Marriott Convention Center Hotel             Hotel             ??? ..        ??? ..        26      2009

5. Seaholm Plaza Hotel                          Hotel/Res.        ??? ..        ??? ..        22      2009

6. 220-300 East Riverside Drive Tower I         Residential       ??? ..        ??? ..        18      2009

7. 220-300 East Riverside Drive Tower II        Residential       ??? ..        ??? ..        18      2009

8. 220-300 East Riverside Drive Tower III       Residential       ??? ..        ??? ..        18      2009

9. Springhill Suites Convention Center Hotel    Hotel             ??? ..        ??? ..        15      2009

10. Renaissance Convention Center Hotel          Hotel             ??? ..        ??? ..        11      2009

11. Red River Flats                              Residential       ??? ..        ??? ..        8       ????

12. Neches Oak Tower                             Residential       ??? ..        ??? ..        8       ????

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Renderings:

Under Construction:

360 Condominiums - 563 feet - 44 floors - 2008


Altavida - 416 feet - 37 floors - 2008


The Monarch - 314 feet - 29 floors - 2008


The Shore - 257 feet - 22 floors - 2008


421 West 3rd Street - 224 feet - 18 floors - 2008


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Approved:

501 Congress - 705 feet - 47 floors - 2009


The Austonian - 700 feet - 55 floors - 2009


Block 21 Tower - 433 feet - 35 floors - 2008


Spring - 400 feet - 41 floors - 2008



Four Seasons Residences - 38 floors - 2009


Capitol Tower* - 242 feet - 20 floors - 1986 - Rooftop structure will add height to this number.


Gables Park Plaza I - 195 feet - 15 floors - 2008


Federal Courthouse - 135 feet - 7 floors - 2009


St. David's Medical Center - 120 feet - 8 floors


La Vista on Lavaca - 119 feet - 8 floors - 2008


Texas Automobile Dealer's Association - 9 floors


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Proposed:

601-699 West 7th Street - 400 feet - 32 floors - 2008


Hotel Van Zandt - 29 floors - 2009


Legacy @ Town Lake - 27 floors


Marriott Convention Center Hotel - 26 floors


Seaholm Plaza Hotel - 22 floors - 2009


AquaTerra - 199 feet - 19 floors - 2008


Notes:

* ~ The Capitol Tower is an existing office building built in 1986. The building is 242 feet tall with 20 floors and will be renovated. A new rooftop crescent shaped crown will be added that will add height to the building.

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Articles:

How high is too high?
Soaring project could pave way for denser downtown 
Article here with 2 beautiful aerials of downtown.  This was in the paper.  It asks the question, "What is too high for downtown Austin?"  
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=70078&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

Downtown apartments on track to ascend
An article on this page about 101 Colorado, a 28-story condo tower which will rise directly to the west of 100 Congress.  And also 805 West 5th Street, a 24-story condo tower which is slated for the West End at West 5th and West Avenue.  The article also has prices for many of the projects.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=70078&perpage=25&pagenumber=3

3 residential projects set for downtown Austin
Article on 3 residential projects set for the west and east sides of downtown.  2 of them will be 8 floors, probably around 120 feet tall or so.  4 replies below that is an article about new hotels planned for downtown.  One of them is the hotel portion in the new 680 footer.  The other would be an upscale hotel, either a Ritz, or W-Hotel planned for West 3rd and Colorado.  That hotel could have 300 to 400 rooms.  It's been in the planning stages since 2000 but was put on hold.  No renderings yet.  The developers say they're moving ahead with development soon.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=70078&perpage=25&pagenumber=4

40-story condo tower planned for downtown
This is the Novare Group Tower, planned for 300 West Nueces, at West 3rd and Nueces Street.  The building will be 520 feet tall with 40 floors.  We're expecting a rendering of this tower any day now.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=70078&perpage=25&pagenumber=6

New downtown condo tower will rise 36 stories
The project's name is "Spring", it is planned to be 400 feet tall with 36 floors, residential.  The architect, (Foad Raffi), is from Vancouver, and this is the first building in the United States that he has designed.  The tower, which will be quite narrow and tall, is planned for West 3rd and Bowie Street.  
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=70078&perpage=25&pagenumber=5

New "Austin City Limits" home will have 1,000 seats, year-round performances
Article on block party and design of project.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=117690

World-renowned architects designing Austin high-rise
Tower at Fifth and Congress could be city's tallest.
Article talks about Cesar Pelli designing the tower at 501 Congress Avenue.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=104192&page=2

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Related threads at SkyscraperPage:

City compilation thread in Texas & Southcentral section of the forum:

Austin update

Individual building construction threads:

Austin - Fifth & Congress Tower ~705 feet - 47 floors

Austin - Novare 360 Tower - 44 floors 563'

AUSTIN - Zom's The Monarch

Austin ~ The Shore - 257 feet - 22 floors - 2008

Individual building proposal threads:

AUSTIN: The Austonian (55 stories; ~700 ft.)

[arbeiter]

Can anyone post pictures of the new Whole Foods complex and the Triangle? I don't plan on visiting Austin for at least 6 more months...

[Mopacs]

Originally Posted by arbeiter

Can anyone post pictures of the new Whole Foods complex and the Triangle? I don't plan on visiting Austin for at least 6 more months...

Will-Do! I just visited the Whole foods store this past week. Its incredible.. unlike any grocery I have been to. It is the new prototype for the chain... here are some outside shots taken last Wednesday (3/8):


This is taken from the NE corner of 5th and Lamar, looking east.









The stairs in the center lead up to a rooftop plaza, which also leads into the main entrance of the HQ tower above the store. There are places to eat, artwork, a children's playscape and lots of seating areas up there:





Viewed from across 6th Street:




More retail is going up on the backside of the store:



This looks west, from 6th street, toward the WF complex:





Here's the complex under construction, last spring ('04)



Gotta like this view (up 5th street toward downtown):

[rjlevins]

I plan on eating there all the time. It's so convenient...a little caotic with the influx of people, but I love the setup. I had to search for awhile for my favorite foods, but I got a chance to scope the place out. Is the rooftop considered the "city park"?

[Mopacs]

Originally Posted by rjlevins

I plan on eating there all the time. It's so convenient...a little caotic with the influx of people, but I love the setup. I had to search for awhile for my favorite foods, but I got a chance to scope the place out. Is the rooftop considered the "city park"?

Technically its private property... so i dont think it would be officially designated as a city park... but for all intents and purposes, it is a public park. I can't imagine building management throwing anyone off... save for a bum sleeping there at 2am.

The food selection there is incredible.. did you see their cheeses? holy cow. Lots of small restaurants within. The place was a little too packed for me to get fully acquainted with the store, but I got a good feel for the layout. I'll be returning many times over.

[CTroyMathis]

I love Whole Foods and always have. Every place I've visited has been remarkable and I can only imagine what the next wave will bring.

Mopacs, you should start a list in this joint for all the new Austin goods coming up.

[Llyod Banks]

so did WholeFood Market start out as a grocery store or what??

excuse my ignorance..I never been to Austin before

[SayTownboy]

No to throw this thread off subject, so ignore this if you'd like.

But HEB or it's subsidiary Central Market need to build something similar to that in downtown San Antonio.

I mean, jeez, they're HQ'd in San Antonio, celebrating thier 100 years in buisness and yet, not one HEB downtown. There's an old as hell ghetto one in far south downtown but, yeah.

I mean, SA has the largest downtown population in Texas. More downtown residential and housing construction going on at this moment in all of Texas as well and ever before in downtown SA history. With many projects U/C or proposed for Midtown off of Broadway.

A new planned 1,000 room/plus proposed lofts, convention center hotel.

Now more than ever does HEB need to build either a HEB or Central Market, hell, a Hybrid of both somewhere downtown.

Make it a high-rise with residential housing maybe hotel rooms, where people will surely go to HB/CM to buy food. Why not throw the HQ in there as well.

I don't know... maybe when Butt steps his old but down as CEO.

Sorry about the hi-jack, back to your regularly scheduled thread.

[Mopacs]

No problem..its relevant to the Whole Foods market in ATX. Dont' be surprised if HEB sets its sights on downtown austin as well...as we reach a critical mass in the population of the CBD and as more retail flocks here.

It would of course have to be an urban-style grocery...perhaps more vertical than the whole foods, which is techically on one level..but with escalators (which accomodate shopping carts) taking you directly down TWO levels to each floor of the underground parking garage. Of course the HQ's are located above the store as well.

I say its just a matter of time before SA gets this type of store... Whole foods has always been on Lamar Blvd (through 3 iterations/stores)...so they more or less stayed in the same neigbhorhood (one block south of the recently-closed store, and 2-3 blocks south of the original).

[Mopacs]

Originally Posted by Llyod Banks

so did WholeFood Market start out as a grocery store or what??

excuse my ignorance..I never been to Austin before

Yep, they sure did... started off as a tiny little natrual foods store on Lamar Blvd (on the west side of downtown) 25 years ago. Here's their original store:



For a company history, look at these pages from the Whole Food's website:

http://www.wholefoods.com/company/history.html

http://www.wholefoods.com/company/timeline.html

[texboy]

Well I know that Spectrum Clubs International are building a huge facility smack in the middle of downtown coming up here in a few months, so seeing HEB build something downtown wouldn't surprise me! I will see if I can't find the news article on the health club.

[texboy]

I worked for Spectrum Club last summer, and you want to talk about an employer who doesn't skimp on pay! I wasn't hurting for money AT ALL after last summer.


"Spectrum is planning to pump $15 million into two new clubs
W. Scott Bailey


Spectrum Health Clubs is expected to begin construction immediately on two new multimillion-dollar fitness centers in San Antonio.

One of those new locations is set to open in the former Frost Bros. building located at 214 E. Travis in the heart of downtown, while the other will be nestled into the fast-growing far North Side.

Spectrum officials say the pair of new clubs represent an investment of at least $15 million, bringing to more than $25 million the company's investment in San Antonio since September 2004. And Spectrum officials say this is "just the beginning."

Spectrum President and CEO Matthew Stevens says company officials are excited about the opportunities that exist in San Antonio now and in the future. In addition to its previous investment and the two new clubs set to open in the coming months, Spectrum officials say the company plans to invest an additional $25 million in new facilities and other improvements by the end of 2007.

"Our mission is to provide first-class athletic facilities at a fantastic value with convenience to both home and work," Stevens says. "With the addition of our downtown and (North Side) locations, we will now boast 11 clubs in San Antonio -- with many more to come."

Center of attention
There is a renaissance of sorts taking shape in downtown San Antonio as developers are adding more residential projects to the center-city area. With more people living and/or working downtown, there is an increasing need for more of the quality-of-life amenities found in other parts of the city.

That is one of the factors that drew Spectrum officials' attention to the E. Travis site, which Stevens describes as "the finest downtown location available."

The downtown Spectrum will cost roughly $3 million to construct and will include some 18,000 square feet of workout space. The new club will occupy part of the 40,000-square-foot, multi-story structure that already houses some 17 condominiums. Officials say the club should be completed by the fall.

Among its numerous high-tech features will be personal flat-screen televisions affixed to each piece of cardiovascular exercise equipment. Individual memberships will cost $59 per month.

"Downtown businesses have been crying out for a health club that is centrally located, state-of-the-art and a great value," Stevens says, explaining that the E. Travis location helps accentuate the company's clustering concept. That concept, Stevens explains, is about creating clubs in locations that are convenient to members' homes and places of work.

I think the question we have been asked the most by the people in San Antonio is 'when are you going downtown?' We've worked really hard over the last six months to find the right location," Stevens says.

Go North
If a move into downtown is an important part of Spectrum's expansion plans, so is the far North Side, which is exploding at the seams in some areas. One particularly hot spot is the Evans Road/U.S. Highway 281 North area where Spectrum plans to break ground.

That new Spectrum club will be situated on six acres of land and will cost more than $12 million to develop. Until it opens, area residents and workers will be able to access a temporary facility that is expected to open this spring adjacent to the planned new club.

The permanent facility is slated to be completed during the first half of 2006. Stevens says it will have the look and feel of its Rogers Ranch club, which is positioned as a "country club" experience.

Stevens says he is confident the North Side location will prove to be a popular addition to a burgeoning part of the city. The club will span some 50,000 square feet.

Among its high-end features will be an outdoor aquatic center complete with a zero-depth entry pool and interactive elements for children. One of those elements will be a dual-slide funneling kids into a state-of-the-art plunge area.

There will also be a 25-meter swimming pool, a 5,000-square-foot Kids' Club, a fully-equipped fitness center and indoor basketball facilities.

Like the downtown club, individual memberships will cost $59 per month.

"We're very sensitive about the whole (Loop) 1604/(Hwy.) 281 North corridor," Stevens insists.

On the map
This latest expansion by Spectrum comes roughly five months after the company began work on a 50,000-square-foot club on Austin Highway in the prestigious Alamo Heights area. That new club is slated to open this summer.

Spectrum is based in southern California, but its financial headquarters are now in San Antonio. Once the Alamo Heights, Evans Road and E. Travis locations are up and running, Spectrum will boast 11 clubs in the San Antonio market -- and more are planned.

Among some of the other areas currently on Spectrum's radar screen as potential sites for new facilities are the South Texas Medical Center and the far West Side.

Other operators are also looking at the Alamo City. Last month, Dave Atencio, a regional manager for another California-based company -- 24 Hour Fitness -- told the Business Journal San Antonio could be part of its expansion plans.

"San Antonio is definitely an area we have looked at and are continuing to look at," says Atencio. "But we want to do it right. We want to go in there strong."

Says Spectrum's Stevens: "We're thrilled with our performance in San Antonio. We're very bullish on that city."

He adds, "We don't want to give up that market to anyone else. We want to be San Antonio's athletic club provider. But you have to be willing to make the investment to protect a market, and we're clearly willing to make the investment."

Company officials say there could be as many as 10 new Spectrum clubs added to the San Antonio landscape by 2008.

[SayTownboy]

Originally Posted by Mopacs

No problem..its relevant to the Whole Foods market in ATX. Dont' be surprised if HEB sets its sights on downtown austin as well...as we reach a critical mass in the population of the CBD and as more retail flocks here.

But the thing is, SA has a larger CBD/Downtown population and it's still grower, faster than ever. Yet not one grocery store downtown (besides the little mom and pop stuff any dense urban area has.

My question, why would HEB go to downtown Austin before downtown San Antonio. That makes very little sense.

[SayTownboy]

Tex, delete your post and start a new thread. No need to post that in this thread.

I worked for Spectrum Club last summer, and you want to talk about an employer who doesn't skimp on pay! I wasn't hurting for money AT ALL after last summer.

What did you do and why are no longer working there? What'd you make.

[mambo_chico]

Well guys as a store manager for HEB that spends time at my home store here in Austin (near downtown) and time at our HQ in San Antonio, the Arsenal...I can tell you that there are no plans to build downtown in either city. It's not HEB's style.

And for the comment made of Mr. Butt....he is one of the most generous, kinda, and good-hearted human beings you will ever meet. In the last 40 years he has been the reason that HEB is where it is today.

It is very unlikely, and there are no current plans for at least the next 3 years, to build any HEB store of any format in any downtown. Austin already has four stores that serve the downtown and surrounding areas (East 7th, Hancock Center, Riverside/Pleasant Valley, Congress/Oltorf).

We are rolling out a new model of store in November in Round Rock, South San Antonio, and Corpus which will be more of a focus to compete with Wal-Mart, Target, and the wholesale clubs like Sam's and Costco.

We already have a much smaller prototype of this type of store here in Austin off of Anderson Mill and Hwy 620...our HEB Plus! Store.

Just giving a small inside scoop and sneak peak.

[arbeiter]

Originally Posted by SayTownboy

But the thing is, SA has a larger CBD/Downtown population and it's still grower, faster than ever. Yet not one grocery store downtown (besides the little mom and pop stuff any dense urban area has.

My question, why would HEB go to downtown Austin before downtown San Antonio. That makes very little sense.

Simple: the demographics in Austin's downtown are more lilkely to be worth the effort. This is why Austin has more Central Markets...although that may have changed. For a long time, Austin had 2 and SA just the one on Broadway. It may still be the case.

What if they've determined that those who are going to be living in Austin's CBD are more likely to buy organic or expensive wine, and therefore higher margin items?

I just checked city-data.com, and Austin's downtown zip code has a median income $12,000 a year higher than San Antonio's. Perhaps it's that?

[Mopacs]

Well whatever HEB's "style" is, it has worked on a tremendous scale.

Now as for the superstore format.. I have been to the new ANderson Mill/620 store, and its awesome. The traffic around the store is horrid, but thats another story for another time. I know that in Leander (25mi NW of downtown Austin), that the newest 'prototype' store is in the planning stages (well the store has been in the planning stages for MANY years now actually... much to the chagrin of Leander residents). Also I heard the Kyle store will also share this 150,000 sq ft format.

On a side note, are there any plans to build an HEB in southern/western areas of Cedar Park? There had been plans for one along Cypress Creek Blvd near 183..or rumors at least.

Also, will that new RoundRock store replace the original on 79 at 35?

[SayTownboy]

What does HEB plan to do with the McCreless Mall site?

I heard they're tearing it done scans the movie theater and then building a much bigger HEB (then what is currently across the street) with an open air shopping center attached.

Is this correct?

[SayTownboy]

Also, wasn't HEB's first HEB Plus! store opened somewhere in the Valley?

Has it done well? Are the prices cheaper than Wal-Mart? Also, did they do the ceiling like Wal-Mart or Target?

[arbeiter]

I used to go to Central Market on 38th all the time, but then it would get too crowded, so I went to the old Whole Foods. Now that the old WF is the new WF, and is much busier, I would probably revert back to the going to CM.

By the way, this week, a Whole Foods opened in Union Square in NYC.